[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63313-63314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25358]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR Part 122
Notice of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying
Persons Who Have Recently Traveled to, From, or Through Certain Ebola-
Stricken Countries
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: Notice of arrival restrictions.
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SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Commissioner of
CBP to direct all flights to the U.S. carrying persons who have
recently traveled to, from, or through Ebola-stricken countries to
arrive at one of the U.S. airports where CBP is implementing enhanced
screening procedures.
DATES: Effective October 21, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francis Russo, Office of Field
Operations, (202) 325-4835, ofo-ops-cat@cbp.dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
the
[[Page 63314]]
current Ebola virus disease (Ebola) epidemic is the largest in history,
affecting multiple countries in West Africa. Ebola, previously known as
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by
infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease
in humans, nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees), and
other animals. Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family
Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebola virus
species found in several African countries. The current outbreak is due
to Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus) in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
In order to assist in preventing the further introduction and
spread of this communicable disease in the United States, CBP, in
coordination with other DHS components and offices, the CDC, and other
agencies charged with protecting the homeland and the American public,
is currently implementing enhanced screening protocols at five U.S.
airports that receive the largest number of travelers from Liberia,
Guinea, and Sierra Leone. To ensure that all travelers with recent
travel to, from, or through the affected countries are screened, CBP
directs all flights to the U.S. carrying such persons to arrive at the
five airports where the enhanced screening procedures are being
implemented. While CBP anticipates working with the air carriers in an
endeavor to identify potential travelers from the affected countries
prior to boarding, air carriers will remain obligated to comply with
the requirement of this notice, particularly in the event that
travelers who have recently traveled to, from, or through the affected
countries are boarded on flights bound for the U.S.
Notice of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons
Who Have Recently Traveled to, From, or Through Certain Ebola-Stricken
Countries
Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1433(c) and 19 CFR 122.32, CBP has the
authority to limit the location where all aircraft entering the U.S.
from abroad may land. Under this authority, I hereby direct all
operators of aircraft carrying persons to the U.S. whose recent travel
included Liberia, Guinea, or Sierra Leone to land at one of the
following five airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK),
New York; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey;
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia; Chicago O'Hare
International Airport (ORD), Illinois; and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport (ATL), Georgia. This list of affected countries
and airports may be modified by an updated publication in the Federal
Register or by posting an advisory to follow at www.cbp.gov. The
restrictions will remain in effect until superseded, modified, or
revoked by publication in the Federal Register or posting on
www.cbp.gov.
Dated: October 21, 2014.
R. Gil Kerlikowske,
Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2014-25358 Filed 10-21-14; 4:15 pm]
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